Hydration vest

ABSTRACT

A hydration vest ( 1 ) having a vest plate ( 2 ) and a fluid container ( 3 ) removably attached thereto. The fluid container has a drinking tube ( 4 ) extending from a bottom of the fluid container ( 3 ) a sufficient length to reach over a wearer&#39;s shoulder into the mouth the wearer. The fluid container ( 3 ) encompasses a reservoir ( 10 ) having a centrally-located vertical bulkhead ( 12 ) extending from a top to proximate a bottom of the reservoir ( 10 ) in the fluid container ( 3 ). The hydration vest ( 1 ) is removably attachable around a torso of a person by a pair of shoulder straps ( 5 ) and a pair of waist straps ( 6 ).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to hydration devices and more particularly to a vest worn by an athlete or person having a removable and refillable container containing hydration fluids.

One of the major problems plaguing sportspersons and active people all over the world is the dual dilemma of hydration and performance. While, on the one hand, proper hydration is essential for the well-functioning of the human body, making frequent stops for a drink, on the other hand, can affect overall outcome of an event or activity.

Proper hydration is one of the basic requirements for the well-functioning of the human body. The average human loses a few gallons of water every day through various processes, such as breathing, digestion, excretion and sweating. Lack of proper hydration can result in health conditions, especially for athletes, such as dehydration, diarrhea and injuries, among others.

Conventional hydration devices include water bottles that must be carried by hand or are strapped to a person's hands. Other hydration devices include containers strapped in a belt strapped around the waist. Some others in are built into bulky vests and backpacks. Such conventional hydration devices are bulky and not designed to be worn by runners or other athletes and, as such, interfere with a particular athletic activity. For instance, many such devices are not wearable snugly to an athlete's body and thus sway with movement, thereby causing an athlete to lose balance and cadence. Moreover, as water or other hydration fluids are drunk by a sportsperson, particularly when running, the fluids slosh around in the container, thus adversely affecting balance.

Thus, a need exists for a hydration device that is comfortable to wear and use, provides hands-free convenience, aerodynamically fits the body and allows for easy access to the fluids therein and does not interfere with athletic activity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a hydration vest that does not interfere with athletic activities.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a hydration vest that is easy and convenient to use.

The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing a hydration vest having a vest plate for removable attachment round a torso of a person and a fluid container removably attachable to said vest plate. The fluid container has a top, bottom and sides and an internal fluid reservoir for holding a hydrating fluid. A drinking tube of sufficient length extends from the bottom of the fluid container over a shoulder and into a mouth of a person wearing the hydration vest. In one embodiment, a centrally located vertical bulkhead extends from the top to proximate the bottom of the fluid container, essentially dividing the reservoir into two sections so as to prevent sloshing of the hydrating fluids as the reservoir decreases in volume due to a wearer drinking the hydrating fluids. In other embodiments, the hydration vest is removably attachable around a torso of a person by a pair of adjustable shoulder straps and a pair of adjustable waist straps.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a rear view of the hydration vest of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the hydration vest of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the hydration vest of the present invention being worn by an athlete; and

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the hydration vest of the present invention having dual fluid chambers and a fluid container attachment mechanism.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered items in the drawings is as follows:

-   1. hydration vest, generally -   2. vest plate -   3. fluid container -   4. drinking tube -   5. shoulder straps -   6. waist straps -   7. fasteners on waist straps -   8. fasteners on shoulder straps -   9. wearer -   10. fluid reservoir -   11. drinking tube extension -   12. bulkhead -   13. fluid container attachment -   14. fluid container cap

Referring now to the drawing figures, FIG. 1 illustrates a rear exterior view of a hydration vest 1 of the present invention having two major components, a vest plate 2 and a fluid container 3 secured to the vest plate 2. The fluid container 3 has a drinking tube 4 extending from a bottom of the fluid container 3, said drinking tube 4 being of a sufficient length to reach over a wearer's shoulder and into the wearer's mouth (not shown). The hydration vest 1 can be attached securely in a form-fitting manner so as not to interfere with a wearer's athletic or other activity by a pair of shoulder straps 5 and a pair of waist straps 6, each strap being adjustably secured in circumference to its counterpart strap by a fastener 7, such as a belt buckle, pins in holes, hook and loop fastening material or equivalent.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the hydration vest 1 of the present invention with its two main components, the vest plate 2 and fluid container 3. The fluid container 3 is preferably made of transparent flexible material, such as plastic, and may be secured or attached to the vest plate 2 by matching hook and loop fastening material or equivalent means on conjoining surfaces (not shown). Again the hydration vest 1 is secured to a wearer by a pair of shoulder straps 5 and waist straps 6.

FIG. 3 shows the hydration vest 1 with vest plate 2 and attached fluid container 3 secured to a wearer 9 who is running by the shoulder and waist straps, 2 and 6, respectively. The drinking tube 4 is proximate a wearer's mouth while worn so a wearer has ready access to hydrating fluids at all times during athletic activity.

FIG. 4 illustrates a plan view of the hydration vest 1 showing the fluid container 3 detached from the vest plate 2. In this view the fluid container 3 encompasses a fluid reservoir 10 which can be filled by removing a cap 14 with various hydrating fluids, such as water, an electrolyte or sports drink. In certain embodiments, a one-way valve may be connected to the fluid container 3 to allow air to flow into the fluid reservoir 10 without allowing fluid to escape from the valve. This can prevent a suction lock. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 , the fluid reservoir 10 has a centrally-located vertical bulkhead 12 extending from a top to proximate a bottom of the fluid reservoir 10 to eliminate or at least reduce the sloshing movement of hydrating fluid in the fluid reservoir 10 that could adversely affect balance or equilibrium of a wearer 9, particularly during running. When a wearer 9 (not shown in FIG. 4 ) sucks on the drinking tube 4, the fluid in the reservoir moves in a downward direction into the drinking tube extension 11 up through the drinking tube 4 into the mouth of the wearer 9. In certain embodiments, the drinking tube 4 can be detechably affixed to a shoulder strap 5 for ready access. In another embodiment, the drinking tube 4 can be formed as part of the shoulder strap 5 such that the at least one bulkhead forms a plurality of divisions within the fluid reservoir 10; each such division being in fluid communion with one another. Also shown in FIG. 4 is one possible means of attaching the fluid container 3 to the vest plate 2 consisting of a pin lock fastener 1 wherein pins on the forward side of the fluid container 3 are pressed into holes on a side of the vest plate 2 to attach the fluid container 3 to the vest plate 2. Other means may include, without limitation, matching loop and hook fastening material. Having the fluid container 3 separate but attachable to the vest plate 2 allows a wearer 9 to easily remove the fluid container 3 from the vest plate 2 to refill it as needed or even to change the hydrating fluid in the fluid reservoir 10 of the fluid container 3 to one with a desired fluid or mixture of fluids.

The vest 1 preferably may be made of flexible material that is capable of stretching and fits snugly around the torso of the wearer 9, such as SPANDEX® brand elastomeric material. The vest plate 2 and fluid reservoir 10 preferably may be made of light weight plastic.

It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of the invention is described, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and/or drawings. 

Having thus described my invention, I claim:
 1. A hydration vest to be worn by a person, said hydration vest comprising: (i) a vest plate being removably attachable around a torso of a person; (ii) a fluid container being removably attachable to said vest plate, said fluid container having: (a) a top; (b) a bottom; (c) sides; (d) a removable filling cap; and (e) at least one internal reservoir for holding at least one desired hydrating fluid; (iii) a drinking tube, said drinking tube being of sufficient length to extend from proximate a bottom of the fluid container over a shoulder and into a mouth of a person wearing the hydration vest; (iv) a drinking tube extension internal in the fluid container extending from the top of the fluid container to a point proximate the bottom of said container; and (v) a one way valve for pressure equilibrium.
 2. The hydration vest of claim 1 wherein the hydration vest is removably attachable around a torso of a person by a pair of shoulder straps and a pair of waist straps.
 3. The hydration vest of claim 1 wherein the at least one internal reservoir further comprises a centrally-located vertical bulkhead extending from a top to proximate a bottom.
 4. The hydration vest of claim 1 wherein the at least one internal reservoir further comprises a plurality of bulkheads extending from a top to proximate a bottom. 